Bathing tub for babies



June 24, 1930. R, L, SMIT 1,766,557

BATHING TUB FOR BABIES Original F iled Jan. 20. 1928 Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES ROBERT L. SMITH, OF BROOKLYN, YORK BATHING TUB FOR BABIES Application filed January 20, 1928, Serial No. 248,036. Renewed October 25, 1929.

This invention relates to certain improve: ments in a baby bathtub with which may be employed a detachable top or table used for tending the baby after bathing.

It is the especial object of the present invention to provide an improved bathtub structure which shall be collapsible and which may have a table or top associated therewith so that it can be readily reached by the user of the tub and moved into position over the tub when required for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tub structure in which a guard is provided at the back of the tub, so that a baby being handled on the table or top cannot accidentally roll or fall therefrom.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain novel parts, arrangements and combinations which will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings and the novel features pointed out in the claims.

In these drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved tub, the structure being shown as open; 7

Figure 2 is a view of part of the construction shown in Figure 1, showing the table or top in position over the tub;

Figure 3 is a sectional view, the section being taken on line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is another sectional view, the section being taken on line tft of Figure 2,

a5 and Figure 5 is a sectional view'of a modification.

Referring now to these drawings, the improved tub comprises a pair of legs 1, 2 and an opposed pair of legs 3, 4c, these legs being pivoted at point 5 so as to fold or collapse together. To brace the tub when open, crossbraces of any suitable character are provided, two such cross-braces 6, 7 being shown connecting the legs on opposite sides of the tub.

Tubs constructed in accordance with the invention will include a front rail 8, supported by the legs 2, at, and a back rail 9, supported by the legs 1, 3. These parts may be made of any suitable material, such as wood. Supported between the front rail 8 and the back rail. 9 is a collapsible tub structure 10, of rubber or other suitable waterproof material, this being secured to the rails by means of tacks 11. Pockets 12 may, if desired, be provided, secured to the front rail 8, for holding the various toilet accessories.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a top or table, indicated by the numeral 18, which is detachable from the tub, but which may be associated therewith, so that when the tub is extended it may be drawn forward to the position shown in Figure 2 for the purpose of supporting a baby while it is being dried or otherwise" handled and, after use, may be moved backwardly so as to be out of the way and to permit the tub to be collapsed. This top or table is so associated with the tub as to have a backward and downward movement with re spect to the back rail, and this backward and downward movement is so controlled that the top does not move its full width, but a portion is left projecting above the back rail so that it can be readily grasped by the user when it is desired to draw the top over the tub. While the top may be associated with the tub in various ways, it will be detachable therefrom so that, if desired, it may be entirely removed from the tub structure. It will, however, be so supported as to be held in the position above described and when it is drawn over the extended tub. In the particular construction illustrated for effecting this, the legs 1, 3, near the back rail, are provided with guides in the form of hooks, in dicated by the numeral 14, these hooks extending inwardly from the sides of the legs. Preferably, to make the movement of the top easy, these hooks are provided with rollers 15, best shown in Figure 3. The top 13 is rovided with side flanges 16, which move inside the upturned ends of the hooks on the small rollers 15, and stops are provided for limiting the rearward and downward movement of the top. In the particular construction shown, these stops are carried by the top and are in the form of pins 17 which engage the front of the legs 1, 3, as clearly shown in Figure 1, and stop the movement of the top, so that the front edge of the top projects above the back rail 9 and is readily accessible to the user. If desired, means may be provided for engaging the hooks when the top is in the extended position of Figures 2 and 4 to prevent accidental movement of the top, these means being shown in the form of catches 18, which removably fit over the shanks of the hooks.

In accordance with the invention, a guard is provided at the back of the tub for preventing the infant from accidentally falling or rolling off the tub at the back. \Vhile this guard may be of various characters, in the particular construction shown the legs 1, 3 are extended, as indicated at 19, 20 la Figure 1, and stretched between these extensions is a guard, which preferably is in the form of a strap 21, of canvas or similar material, which substantially fits the space between the extensions and the back rail 9, before referred to. Fabric is preferably employed for this purpose, as it is somewhat yielding and there would be no danger of a baby being hurt by coming in contact therewith. If desired, this canvas strap may be provided with pockets for the reception of toilet articles.

The table top may be of any suitable construction, but is shown as comprising the end flange 16, before referred to, and front and black flanges 23, 24, and the top is covered with suitable material, such as canvas 25, this having been found advantageous for use in handling babies. If desired, a safety strap, indicated at 26, may be provided, by which the infant may be strapped to the top while being handled.

If desired, the pins 17 may be omitted so that the top may occupy a position against the of the table when they are folded or collapsed, as shown in Figure 5. In this modification also, the top is not secured to the tub, but is detachable therefrom, and is or may be provided with books 27 by which it may be conveniently hung on the books 14, when not in use.

While the invention has been shown and described in its preferred form, it will be understood that certain changes and variations may be made in the specific form and arrangement of the parts making up the structure without departing from the invention as defined in the claims hereunto appended.

What I claim is: 1. A baby bathtub structure including oppositely disposed legs pivoted to fol together, cross-braces connecting the legs, a ront top rail, a back top rail, a collapsible tub of rubber or the like secured between the rails, guides on the back rail, a detachable table or top movable on the guides from a position over the tub when extended to a position backwardly and downwardly with respect to the back rail, and means for preventing the top from moving downwardly its entire length, so that its edge will project above the back rail toward the tub and at an angle to the rail in a position to be readily reached by a user.

2. A baby bathtub structure including oppositely disposed legs pivoted to fold toether, cross-bratxas connecting the legs, a ront top rail, a back top rail, a collapsible tub of rubber or the like secured between the rails, hooked guides on the inner sides of the legs at the back, a. detachable table or top having flanges riding on the hooks from a position over the tub when extended to a position backwardly and downwardly with respect to the back rail, and stops on the top for preventing the top from moving downwardly its entire length, so that its edge will project above the back rail towards the tub and at an a le to the rail in a position to be readily reac ed by a user.

3. A baby bathtub structure includi oppositely disposed legs pivoted to fol together, cross-braces connecting the legs, a front top rail, a back top rail, a collapsible tub of rubber or the like secured between the rails, hooked guides on the inner sides of the legs at the back, a detachable table or top having flanges riding on the hooks from a position over the tub when extended to a position backwardly and downwardly with respect to the back rail, stops on the top for preventing the top from moving downwardly its entire length, so that its edge will project above the back rail towards the tub and at an angle to the rail in a position to be readily reached by a user, and means on the top engaging the hooks when the top is drawn over the tub. 4. A baby bathtub structure including a pair of legs at each end pivoted to fold together, braces connecting the legs, a front top rail, a back top rail, a collapsible tub of rubber or the like secured between the rails. the legs at the back of the tub being extended above the back rail, a guard secured between the extensions, and a detachable table or top arranged to be placed over the tub when extended, said guard acting to prevent a baby falling ofl the back of the top when placed thereon.

5. A baby bathtub structure including a pair of legs at each end pivoted to fold together, braces connecting the legs, a front top rail, a back top rail, a collapsible tub of rubber or the like secured between the rails, the legs at the back of the tub being extended above the back rail, a strip of fabric provided with pockets filling the space between the extensions and the back rail, and a table or top arranged to be placed over the tub when extended, the fabric acting to prevent a baby falling off the back of the top when placed thereon.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ROBERT L. SMITH. 

